Re-imagining the Oscars in Canadian Sports

For sports fans in Canada, all eyes this weekend were on two marquee events in Toronto. Serge Ibaka made his much anticipated debut when the Raptors hosted their Eastern Conference rival Boston Celtics on Friday, and on Saturday the Canadiens won an overtime thriller over the Leafs at the Air Canada Centre in Claude Julien’s first visit to Toronto since returning as Montreal’s head coach.

However, for many others, including a certain Patrick Patterson, all attention is on Hollywood and the 89th Academy Awards ceremony. Movie buff Patterson, who will be on-court with the Raptors, says he will have someone giving him updates throughout the game. In honour of Sunday’s Oscars, we reimagined some of the biggest titles in cinema over the last 12 months with a sports-inspired spin.

Best First-Round Pick
Nominee: Auston Matthews in ‘Arrival’

Doubts about whether higher intelligence exists out beyond the moon and stars were laid to rest when Auston Matthews touched down in Toronto. The centre has been out of this world on the ice this season but seems to speak the same language as fellow arrivals Marner and Nylander.

However, don’t expect an award for best original song, despite the efforts of Ottawa-based rap artists SVDVM, who released ‘Hit ’em with the four like Auston Matthews’

Best Players in a Supporting Role of Each Other
Nominee: Kyle Lowry & DeMar DeRozan in ‘Hell or High Water’

The NBA had barely drawn its fall breath before DeMar DeRozan penned a new deal to stay with the Raptors. His partnership on and off the court with Kyle Lowry is the star of the piece in Toronto. The Raptors found themselves in some high water recently but the arrival of Serge Ibaka should give Lowry and DeRozan some hope beyond the regular season credits.

Best Bet for a Comeback Year
Nominee: Jose Bautista in ‘Fences’

After the highs of a dramatic 2015 season, 2016 was marred by injury and contract speculation. Post free-market flirtation, Bautista is back in blue, and bets are he’ll be back hitting the fences this summer.